North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends a meeting with Russia’s Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East Alexander Kozlov (2nd R, front) and Governor of Primorsky Region Oleg Kozhemyako (R) on April 24, 2019. (Reuters pic)

MOSCOW: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said on Wednesday he hoped to have concrete discussions about efforts to end the nuclear standoff in the Korean peninsula when he meets Russian president Vladimir Putin for a summit this week.

“I hope the talks will be successful and useful,” he said in comments broadcast by Russia’s state-owned Rossiya 24 television station. “I hope that we can discuss concrete questions about peace negotiations on the Korean peninsula, and our bilateral relations,” he said, speaking through an interpreter.